On Friday April 4, Seattle band Poke Da Squid played a concert to celebrate the release of I Honestly Had Higher Expectations (click to see my earlier review of the CD).
Poke Da Squid is a young band. I’m positive all members are under the age of 30. They’re also adorable and ooze charm from every pore. Even their sweat (and they work up a good one on stage) emanates charm. I’ve seen Poke Da Squid pretty much from their first Seattle show about four or five years ago and I’ve watched them really grow as a cohesive unit. Their live shows are more hard edged than what they sound like on their recordings. Think a little New Found Glory and maybe a sprinkle of Blink 182, but really, their sound is unique. They’re non-stop energy on stage and exhibit a lot of good natured bantering amongst themselves as well as with their audience. It was obvious that they have also garnered a strong and loyal fan base.
The three Hawaiian Locals are MJ (guitar), Larry (drums) and Dimple (bass).
Preceding PDS was BURN BURN BURN and they lived up to their name. They hit the stage like a raging inferno and never let up! They played, fast and loud and had the small, but lively crowd ignited into a fierce circle pit. I was surprised the club wasn’t incinerated after their set.
Rushmore Preceded Burn Burn Burn. Here too was another power pop/punk band with catchy hooks and lots of charm. At times they reminded me of Settle’s legendary Fastbacks but with male vocals.
Unfortunately I didn’t catch the first two bands — next time. The entire show was over by 11 p.m., which left me just enough time to shoot down to Georgetown in time to see Girl Trouble take the stage at Slim;s Last Chance. More on that later. This was a fun-filled night. All bands are worth checking out.
